Messi bursts into the box and hits a left‑footed shot from the centre, but Kameni saves it in the middle of the goal after a pass from David Villa.

On a fast break, Messi receives a pass from Dani Alves and shoots right‑footed from the centre of the box, but his effort flies over the bar.

Messi threads a precise through ball into the box, allowing Pedro to finish with a right‑footed shot into the bottom right corner for Barça’s opener.

Messi drives down the right wing and is fouled, winning a free kick in an advanced wide position.

Dropping deep, Messi carries the ball in his own half and is brought down, earning a free kick to relieve pressure.

Messi attacks through the middle in the attacking half and is fouled, winning another dangerous free kick for Barcelona.

Early in the second half, Messi drives at the Espanyol defense in the attacking half and is stopped illegally, drawing a free kick.

Messi unleashes a left‑footed strike from outside the box after a layoff from Pedro, forcing Kameni into a save low to his bottom right corner.

Messi attacks down the right wing again and draws a foul, earning yet another free kick from a wide position.

On a rapid counter, Messi sends a perfectly weighted through ball to David Villa, who curls a right‑footed shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner for Barça’s fourth.

Messi misjudges a challenge and commits a foul while pressing, briefly halting Barcelona’s momentum.

Messi attempts another incisive through ball toward David Villa, but the move is cut short as Villa strays offside.

Messi concedes a foul while challenging for the ball, giving Espanyol a free kick and a brief respite.

Xavi looks for Messi with a through ball in behind the defense, but the move is denied as Messi is flagged offside.